The 'Sweaty Ballerina Hairdo' Look
How to achieve Jenna Lyons' go-to look — for the home
When I give presentations on how to shop for and style vintage for the home, one of my fail-safe tips is to never buy too much from one era. To achieve the effortless, collected look, you need to, well, collect. And that means collecting pieces from different eras. Too much mid-century, you look like you live in Don Draper’s house. Too baroque, and it’s giving Buckingham Palace.
For me, it’s all about juxtaposition. Conflict. Contradiction.
That’s why this interview with Jenna Lyons resonated with me so much. In it, she talks about how, during her stint at J. Crew, her team often aimed for what she called the “sweaty ballerina hairdo” — “this idea of taking this perfect ballerina bun but making it imperfect with wispy pieces sticking out.”
I love that! But it’s easier said than done. So here, I’ve rounded up my tips for achieving that look, along with some pieces that I think really nail it, when paired together. Plus, as always, lots of inspo images.
How to Get the Look
Mix & Match: This is so crucial once you get into buying vintage and even more so if everything in your house is new. Adding a little bit of “old” — even if it’s just a bust or a piece of art — adds patina and interest.
Pull from different eras: If you do pull lots of vintage pieces for a space, be sure they aren’t from just one singular moment in time (think of a room like an outfit — too much of one thing, and it looks like a costume). Mix the clean lines of a mid-century modern coffee table with the more ornate curves of a Victorian chest of drawers, for instance.
Contrast materials: In addition to mixing in pieces from different eras, try mixing pieces in different colors, patterns and textures. Chrome looks great with wood which in turn looks great with a chunky piece of faux fur or shearling (like a leather chair with chrome arms that you just casually drape a faux fur blanket over).
Utilize the rule of three: I am not one to stick to too many old school rules, but I do love the rule of three. The idea is that when you style accessories, you style in odd numbers, rather than even. So, to style a side table, you’d add a bust, a mirror, and a lamp. Even numbers feel traditional and a little too “perfect.”
Area rug // Julian Schnabel book // rounded mirror (this is from Target!) // Lamp (portable, under $150 and looks sooo expensive) // checkered ottoman // vintage bust (you could totally find something similar at an estate sale or antiques gallery)
Brass bud vase (under $150, would make the best gift, and somehow marries masculine and feminine) // tripod lamp (I am obsessed with this company and want every lamp they make) // blush velvet cushion // rattan tray (the perfect place to store your mail) // Dalí framed photograph // woman sculpture // vintage formica coffee table
Rapid Fire
A recent purchase: I bought these blush-colored, mesh heels and wore them to some recent events and I have gotten so. Many. Questions. Yes, they are actually quite comfortable. And no, they don’t cost a million dollars (they are $125).
A recent watch: I love Hot Ones. I love GP. This week, I got both.
Something I use almost everyday: The Crown Affair’s hair towel is exactly that — a towel meant to be used on your hair, wrapped up like a turban, after you shower. It doesn’t snag, and helps with frizz and static. I love this thing.
And I’ll leave you with this…